Robert Young Architecture & Interiors

There is no shortage of colossal poolside palaces in the Hamptons — it is, after all, where many of New York’s rich and famous go to party and play during the dog days of summer. But for those who live in the area full-time — like the growing family of this Montauk lake house — they need homes that are as functional as they are pretty.

When we say organic here, we don’t just mean the natural materials used throughout the house; we’re referring to the fact that the project developed organically in response to the homeowners’ seven-acre, East Hamptons lot and existing house. Built around 1982, the original structure was in dire need of a renovation. Robert Young Architecture and Interiors was committed to reusing as much of this house as possible, but wasn’t sure if a restoration would be more economical than constructing a new house. Property surveys showed that the house was closer to the lot’s picturesque kettle pond than current zoning would allow, so building a new structure would compromise privacy and the water views. From there, the Kettle Hole House was born amidst the lot’s abundance of white pine trees.